Engine problems of the 2003 Nissan Altima

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21 problems related to engine have been reported for the 2003 Nissan Altima.

Engine problem
1

Failure Date: 12/09/2010

I have a 2003 Nissan Altima which engine turns off in the middle of the road with no warning. I had my car checked out and found out it was the crankshaft sensor. I spoke with a friend who works on cars and I was told that the original crankshaft sensor had to be updated to stop oil from getting on it. When I called Nissan they refused to help me and I was told I would have to pay for the repairs myself. This car stops in the middle of the road without warning and Nissan doesn't want to accept the fact that they have produce a faulty car that can cause a person to have a deadly crash.

Engine problem
2

Failure Date: 09/10/2010

On numerous occasions our 2003 Nissan Altima will just stop running while at a light or just slowed down in traffic. The car has been repaired numerous times for the same sensor replacement. I do not feel safe in this car any more.

Engine problem
3

Failure Date: 05/25/2010

I own a 2003 Nissan Altima 2. 5s. The car has a low idle and suddenly dies without warning while at stop signs and red lights. I've taken great care of this car but can't seem to pinpoint the problem. Then I read here and all over the internet that this is a common problem. Could it be a bad sensor? I called Nissan but they do not recognize this problem. Unbelievable.

Engine problem
4

Failure Date: 02/01/2010

I own a 2003 Nissan Altima with a 2. 5 l engine. I am having issues with the car dying and sputtering and sometimes not starting. I have done research to determine that Nissan had a recall for the crank position sensor for my particular vehicle from 2002-2003 for the crank sensor. I called them and gave them my VIN number and they said my particular car was not covered for the recall. I have had this plugged up to a computer and it confirms that it is the crank sensor. Also I have already replaced one for about $600 in 2008 for my car. It seems Nissan knows that there is a problem and recalled some of the cars and other people like me will have to keep taking their car to the dealership every year or two and spending lots of money to keep the car from getting them killed in a wreck or stranded. I have contacted Nissan several times and they tell me there is nothing they can do other than charge me full price for the repair. I have done a lot of internet research and found out that many people have this same problem.

Engine problem
5

Failure Date: 07/27/2009

Faulty crankshaft position sensor in Nissan Altimas. 02 03 04 05.

Engine problem
6

Failure Date: 03/22/2009

Recall no. R0606 - part replaced 2 times in less than 2 years. Once again, the car is stopping while driving, which is very dangerous and unsafe. The dealership says the part is no longer covered under the warranty. Please help me to rectify this situation and obtain a reliable vehicle. Thanks,.

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Engine problem
7

Failure Date: 01/05/2009

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the crankshaft position sensor failed and caused the vehicle to shut off while in motion. The dealer stated that they would repair the vehicle at the contact's expense. The speed was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 62,000.

Engine problem
8

Failure Date: 12/29/2008

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that in order for his vehicle to pass emission testing, he must get the crank position sensor light repaired. The check engine indicator illuminates as a result of the crank position sensor. The contact is displeased because the vehicle is not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 131,000.

Engine problem
9

Failure Date: 09/05/2008

Tla contact owns a 2003 niacin alton. The contact stated that her vehicle is burning inefficiently. She must change the oil every 500 miles. Before the oil is changed, it resembles black sludge. When the contact approached a stop, the vehicle shook, lost power, and would not restart quickly. The dealer rebuilt the engine at the cost of $2,500, but the failure still persists. The vehicle has been parked for 30 days and would not restart. The failure mileage was 98,000.

Engine problem
10

Failure Date: 07/11/2008

Recall r0606 (campaign number 06v242000) repair was complete 12/21/06 by previous owner. Car still exhibits same symptoms of recall (engine stops while under way).

Engine problem
11

Failure Date: 04/03/2008

My car quit first time in a parking lot when my 93 yr. Old grandmother was with me after that it has quit on me twice in the middle of busy traffic. The car just quits which could cause a major accident. This car needs to be recalled permanently to get them off the road. The manufacturer and dealers will not fix repair without charging. This is a continuous default in the manufacturing of this car. Replacing sensor will only work for a little while and then it goes bad. It is a major default in manufacturing of the 2003 Nissan Altima.

Engine problem
12

Failure Date: 06/15/2007

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the engine would shut off at any time with no reason or warning. The failure would occur while driving 5 mph or greater. The current mileage is 63,673 and failure mileage was 62,673.

Engine problem
13

Failure Date: 03/06/2007

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Altima. The vehicle lost power while driving at 40 mph. The contact waited approximately 20 minutes before the vehicle was able to restart. The dealer stated that the computer needed reprogramming, and made the repair. Approximately three days later the vehicle began to hesitate and completely lost power again. The dealer recommended that the cam and crank shaft sensors be replaced. There was arecall # 30v455000 for a 2002 Nissan Altima for the cam and crank shaft sensors. The dealer stated that the contact's vehicle was not included in the recall, although the contact felt otherwise. The current and failure mileage were 112,000.

Engine problem
14

Failure Date: 02/09/2007

2003 Nissan Altima 2. 5s bought in January of 2003. Car intermittently will not start. Nissan dealers have performed all recalls including ecm software replacement and engine crank sensor replacement but the problem remains. This is an ongoing problem which has not been resolved.

Engine problem
15

Failure Date: 12/18/2006

Update to odi 10176518. Power valve screws were found missing. Screws were ingested into combustion chamber of engine.

Engine problem
16

Engine problem
17

Failure Date: 10/16/2006

I have a problem with my crank sensor on my 03 Nissan Altima, the car will shut off while driving creating a very dangerous situation if on a heavy traveled road. I'm afraid that it will result in a accident possibly injuring me. I tried to have the Nissan dealership fix this prob under their recall and they refused stating it was only for the 02 models. . Read more...

Engine problem
18

Failure Date: 09/17/2006

Dear NHTSA,
recently I have been having problems with my 2003 Nissan Altima, more specificity, the engine has stopped running without warning while driving at a low speed. I researched this issue and found a recall on the Nissan website for the crank angle sensor on all 2002 Altimas, but nothing for 2003 Altimas. However, while researching on the web I found several reports, including the NHTSA website (campaign # 06v-242), indicating that a few 200,000 2003 Altimas/sentras (2. 5 liter) were being recalled for the same crank angle problem. I brought this issue up with the Nissan service department (cerritos) and was thoroughly disappointed with the support and service from the technicians. First, I was informed that my car was not under the recall. Then, I was informed that not all recalls are listed in the website and I would have to get my car serviced first and only after could they determine whether or not my car is under the warranty. And I would need to pay for whatever repairs that was needed to be done. I do not have an issue with paying for the repairs if it is not a recall issue; however, shouldn't the Nissan's technicians know exactly what is under recall by looking into the VIN number or the parts number? also, the recall is not listed or announced on the Nissan website but is reported in several articles. It should have been Nissan's responsibility to inform the public of this safety issue, even if it is only a small number of vehicles. And the dealerships responsibility to check into the problem, especially since there have been other instances with this particular car. I have yet to receive any correction for this issue and am hoping you will be of some assistance to me with this problem since I have had no luck with the dealership. Cindy lin.

Engine problem
19

Failure Date: 05/01/2006

One year into the ownership of the vehicle, while driving, the car would simple shut off. If you were moving at the time it would eventually come back on to the running position. If you happened to be at a stop sign or a light and the "stutter" would happen it would completely shut off then you would have to try and start the car again. It would turn over but sometimes it would take several tries to start the car again. This car was purchased in 2003 as a new car. Because of these instances of the car shutting off there have been two different accidents. Thank the lord none with any personal injuries. These occasions of the car shutting off became more and more prevalent, happening everyday almost all the time towards the end of the life of the car. The car is now not drivable because it literally caught on fire while driving it. It was towed home and there it sits. We are still paying on the vehicle and have to have full coverage on it.

Engine problem
20

Failure Date: 05/31/2005

I brought a brand new 2003 Nissan Altima 3. 5 from len stoler Nissan. We noticed a light mist of smoke from the tailpipe in the summer time. I called to the dealer the dealer stated that was normal. The car started blowing light white smoke, the dealer stated change my gas to supreme octane. At just over 25,000 miles the car started blowing heavy white smoke, we heard a water sound under the car, the oil light would come and go off, and it started losing power. I took it in to the dealer they told us we had sludge in the engine. We turned in all service records showing that the maintenance was keep up on the car. The dealer and Nissan manufacturer stated that sludge only comes from lack of maintenance and sludge do not come from nothing else and refused to honor the warranty. The dealer said for $700. They'll call the Nissan rep. Back out; look past the oil crank case opening and look in the bottom of the oil pan. I refused took it to nationwide Nissan they opened my oil pan took my money, did not let me see when it was open just claimed my pan was full of sludge. They did take a picture, shared it with the other dealer, and told me the same thing but they also said that the Nissan rep this time told them over the phone that Nissan will not fix the car. Where is the customer service? that shows how Nissan sticks together! so what now? I know I will not buy another Nissan and is telling everybody else also! these dealers/Nissan will sell u a car but will not honor there warranty!.

Engine problem
21

Failure Date: 12/01/1901

I own a 2003 Nissan Altima has problem with woodpecker noise. Dealer can't find problem. The noise is heard while the vehicle is idling.

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